The Chicago Teachers Union said Thursday that it will take a "serious offer" from Chicago Public Schools to a team of negotiators next week for a vote, signaling a step forward in contract talks that have dragged on for more than a year.

CTU President Karen Lewis said in a statement that the potential agreement's "basic framework calls for economic concessions in exchange for enforceable protections of education quality and job security."

"If the union is able to reach a tentative agreement, delegates will be apprised of details shortly," Lewis said.

The union said it is taking the district's offer to its so-called Big Bargaining Team, a group of about 40 union members that helps guide union demands. The union said the team would vote on the deal Monday, the date a final stage of talks called fact-finding is set to begin.

Any deal would have to be approved by the union's House of Delegates before a contract could be finalized. That body meets Wednesday.

The union's announcement came a day after CPS put off an offer to borrow up to $875 million. District CEO Forrest Claypool said earlier Thursday that the district expects to complete the deal by early next week at the latest.

In recent days, negotiators on both sides of the table have said that talks have gained steam following Republican proposals that would allow the state to take over the cash-strapped district, and also allow the district to declare bankruptcy.

The Chicago Teachers Union may be moving away from a possible strike, saying they have received a "serious offer" from Chicago Public Schools. Jan. 29, 2016. (WGN-TV)

The Chicago Teachers Union may be moving away from a possible strike, saying they have received a "serious offer" from Chicago Public Schools. Jan. 29, 2016. (WGN-TV)

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, in an interview on WTTW-Ch. 11's "Chicago Tonight," declined to discuss the city's offer but said the two sides were engaged in "very good discussions with a lot of respect on both sides for the challenges we're facing."

Last week, Lewis voiced optimism about the progress of contract negotiations and acknowledged that her members could be in line to "lose certain things."

Lewis said those losses could include the end of the city's practice of picking up the bulk of teachers' required contributions to their pensions. But Lewis said the union would not bend on another key issue, incremental pay increases known as "step and lane" bumps that are doled out based on seniority and experience.

A version of this article appeared in print on January 29, 2016, in the News section of the Chicago Tribune with the headline "CTU says a `serious' CPS offer is on table - Potential deal to be voted on next week by negotiator team" —
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